Circuit closing and breaking device for electrically-operated annunciators and the like.



A. MAY.

CIRCUIT CLOSING AND BREAKING DEVICE EOE ELEGTBIGALLY OPERATED ANNUNOIATOES AND THE LIKE. APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 25, 1909.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.' (Ill 1* A MAY. D BREAKING DEVICE FOR BLBUTRIGALLY OPERATED ANNUNOIATORS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED 711311.25, 1909.

Iiatented 008;. 26, 1909.

I I 2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

GIRGUIT CLOSING AN sequently the action of the indicator will be musing two operations of the indicator tact devices.

cracorr CLOSING AND BREAKING mzvron FOR ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED ANNUNCL Across AND THE LIKE.

938,394. Specifieationof Letters Patent. P t te Oct 26, 1909.

Application filed Marcli 25, 1909. Serial No. 485,651.

The second advantage of the weighted arms To all wiimn it may concern:

of the present invention, dueto the dragging lie it known that I, Aiiei s'ri s MAY, :1 citi zen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parisli'of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful mproveinents in Circuit- Closing and Break ing Devices for Electrically ()peratedAniiiinciators and the-Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in circuit closing and breaking devices for electrically operated an nunciators and the like and it has more particular reference to a device applicable to the annunciators' of street cars, such device from a broad standpoint and with necessar structural modifications bein adapted for use inconnection with either trolley or third-rail systems.

he particular nature of the electrically controlled apparatus is immaterial in so far action thereof, is to cut through any deposit of ice or snow upon the car contact and in prior devices so'tar as I am aware, no means has been provided for fLCCOnipllSliillg this action. i 1

The invention aims as a further object to provide a device of the character stated for ,use IIICOIITIQCtlOH with trolley lin cs which shall be of such construction and assemblage ey Wire and when operated will not in any way intert'erewith the Wire, as by-causing a distortion or an undue sagging thereof.

The invention aims as a further object to provide means whereby the'cooperating devices may be put into an inoperative relavices are used in large cities'in which the street cars have'local and expressservices, the local cars having their annunciators operated at every street or station and the express cars do not stop being temporarily the connection stated, which shall be positive in its action and at all times certain and reliable and to accomplish this object the invention proposes the use of a pair of suspended ivoted circuit closing arms which are in e ect weighted and which cooperate with the contact device carried by the car with a dragging action. The advantage of this dragging action, due to the weighting of the arms, is of a two-fold nature. In the first place it assures of the certain and reliable contact between the cooperating parts, the tendency of the arms to be thrown bcof the means provided for this purpose. The invention, while efficiently accoinplishing the several objects stated, retains also the in idents of iDGXPGIISlVGIlGSS, simplicity of strzuctural details, durability and practicabiiity. In the accon'ipanying drawings, preferred and advantageous embodiments of the iuventio n have been shown in connection With both trollev and thj idaail systems and the structural details of such embodiments are set forth at length in the following description, while the novelrt'eatnres by which the invention is distinguished from the prior art are described in languageof the proper determinative scope in the appended claims. In the said drawings: Figure 1 is a per spective view showing the application of the by the car contact with any material force invention to a trolley system. Fig. 2.is a theyare thrown beyond their centers, hit- 1 side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is 'a transverse ting the contact on its opposite side and sectional view of the suspended trolleycoir Fig. 4 is a front elevation where only one is desired. Another objecpartly in section, illustrating a slightly tion ist-liat: thearms in the known devices modified arrangement. Fig. 5 is a: side eleelhciently controlled. In known devices of the general type in wliich suspended arms are employed, when such arms are engaged are so light that their circuit closing funcvation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4. ticii. is oftentimes inefficiently carried out. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the trolley that it may be readily supported by the trol tion. This means is employed where the de- I put out of operation by the manipulation fastenm devices, as 6. "the construction of the arrangement, the. The evice which is carried upon the arms 5 should be swung beyond their centers, trolley p' ole B for cooperation with the arms and engage the rear face of th bar 7, such 5 comprises a tion than' the contact arms 'pole having the usual trolley wheel 0 which their upper ends are the arms 5 designated shall for convenience weighted end portions.

For the purpose of lubricating the shaft 3, an oil cup, as 11,.may be employed, such oil cup being connected tothe upper side ofthe block 1 and communicating with the interior of the extensions 2 through a duct, as 12, shown more particularly in Fig. 3.

In the use of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the arms 5 will engage the contact pieces 8 with a dragging action which is progressively augmented by reason of the progressively increasing weight lot the portions 10. The provision of the concavely curved edge faces of the arms 5 assures also of the certain and reliable engagement of said arms with the contact 8 and the provision of the weighted end portions 10, aside from the functions of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the application of the invention to a thirdrail system, the operating elements being shown in front elevation, and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the construction shown in i Fig. 7, the cover of the third rail beingl broken away to more clearly illustrate the relation of the parts. 1,2.

Similar characters of reference refer to a corresponding parts throughout the several views. In Fig. 1 and the trolley pole be referred to as the trolley wire is shown at A is shown at B, the said rides upon the wire A. Certain of the elements of the circuit closing device are suported upon the wire A and another element. thereof is supported 11 on the pole B, as will be well. understoot. The device which is carried upon the wire A comprises a block, as 1, which is rigidly secured to the upper side of said wire in any suitable manner and which is formed at each side thereof with horizontal alined tubular projections, as 2. The projections 2 constitute a continuous bearing for a shaft, as 3, the latter having squared ends, as 1, upon which are carried the contact arms 5. The arms 5 at formed with squared openings which surround the squared ends of the shaft 3 and said arms are secured on said squared ends by screw or other suitable vent said arms from vibrating under the influence of the initial force with which they are engaged by the bar 7, it being understood that such vibration would be fatal to the efiicient use of the indicator inasmuch as it would cause several contacts to be made where only a single contact is desired, each separate contact producing an operation of the annunciator. If for any reason, due to an unusual speed of the car in approaching engagementwould be without result, owin' to the fact that the bar 7 is constructed 0 insulating material.

' In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 instead of the block 1 and the' tubular extensions 2 and the shaft. 3, a hollow cylindrical body, as 13, is employed, such body having an extension, as 14, which is permanently connected to the wire A. The'body 13 is materiall lighter in weight than the struc- 'ture disc osed in Fig. 1 and under certain circumstances its use may be found more advantagwus. The end portions of the body 13 are of reduced diameter, as at 15, and serve in effect as hearing trunnions for the contact arms which in this embodiment horizontally extended bar, as 7, which, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, is rigidly attached to said 016. The bar 7t is preferably of strong insulating materiah capable of withstanding shocks and blowsv and resisting the elements, such for example as vulcanized fiber. The bar 7 has portions projecting horizontally at each side of the pole B, each of the projecting portions havmg metallic contact pieces 8 secured to the upper or front faces thereof. The contact pieces?) are each attached to a wire, as 9, the wires 9 being led through the trolley pole into a car and being connected with the electrical controlling mechanism of the annuciator or other electrically operated apparatus therein. The arms 5 are of similar construction and have their edge faces of generally similar to the arms 5. Each arm lll VCISC curvature. By virtue of such for- 5 has at its inner end a ring shaped portion,

.mation the central portions of said arms are of restrlcted width, and, the edge faces dias 16, the portions 16 fitting'over the hearing lrunnions 15 and being rotatable theresequcntly heavier than the restricted central portions. The width of the lower'portions of the arms may also be increased by form'- ing said lower portions. of greater cross seccentral portions, as shown at 10 in Fig. 3. Hereafter the portions of stated, serves to maintain the arms 5 in depending perpendicular positions and to prethe invention are designated 5* and are by the numeral 10; i

a station orstreet or to some imperfection in .vcrging downwardly, the lower portions 0 on, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. said arms are of enlarged width and con- In order to hold the arms 5 against endwise also is indicated by the numeral 7 and is pivotl and 5 have in theembodiments described. ally mounted at its center, as at 19, upon I In the present embodiment the arms 25 are the trolley harp. The bar 7 thus mounted set at inoperative positions when it is de-' has two positions, the one being a position I sired that the annunciator within the car transverse to said harp, as -shown in the full I shall notbe operated and the means which is lines in Fig. 4 and being the operative position of the bar 7*, oblique position, as shown in dotted lines in .Fig. 4 and being the inoperative position of i the bar 7. For the purpose of moving I the bar 7 to either of its positions, pull/ I! arms, as 31, the arms "31 being adjustable axially of the shaft 30 and being held fast thereon by set screws, as'32. The shaft- 30 projects at one end beyond the cover of the third rail and carries an arm, as 33, which is disposed at. a right angle to wires, as 20, are employed, the said wires 20 the arms 31 and which 1s provided being connected to lugs on the said bar and being passed through eyes, as 21, which are with a weight, as 34. I

| employed preferably comprises a rock shaft, I and the other being an I as 30, upon which are secured projecting attached to the trolley pole. The bar 7 is Ordinarily the shaft 30 isso positioned that held against inove'nent beyond its hoi-izonits arm 33 occupies a vertical position and tal position by stop devices, as 22, of which its arms 31 occupy a horizontal position. a pair are employed, one of said devices HOWeVfH', vlien it is desired to bring" the being arranged on the trolley li-arp toenarms 2:) to inoperat veposition the shaft-{$0 is rocked to the position shown in F which the arm 33 extends horizontal. L the arms 31 extend vertically, engaging the arms 25 just below their centers and causing arms 25 forwardly to gage the upper side of the bar 7" and the other of said devices being arranged on the trolley harp to engage the under side of said bar. The bar 7 is retained in its horizontal position by securing the end ofthe left hand cord 20, and as a further means for retaining said bar in a horizontal position, the devices 22 may be constructed spring clips which frictionally engage the bar.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is applicable to both local and express cars and when the car is passing streets or stations at which it does not stop the bar 7 is drawn into the oblique dotted line position, at which position it will not engage the arms 5 but when the car approaches a station at- Which it stops the bar 7 is swung into the full line transverse position, in which position it engages the arms 5 in the manner above set forth.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated an embodiment showing the application of the invention -to tliirdrail systems, the third rail being indicated at a shoe carried the movement of'said contacts 23.

he weight 34 ot tains the shaft 00 in its operative position.

construction of the arms .7 and 7 in the one form and of the arms 25 in the other form assures of the certain and ment of said arms with the coiiperatin con"- t-acts, such engagement being of su cient the operation of the annunciator. In each arms-assures of their assuming the operative position and more particularly apparent in connection with the trolley system in which light arms would be blown about by heavy winds and might be swung to at the very time the car was passing. The weighted end portions 10 cfliciently guard and v by the car for cooperation with the third rail being indicated at E. Thea said shoe is g inst this tendenc constructed with forwardly extended con- Hav ng fully described my invention, I tact pieces, as 23, which are insulated there- 01mm:

1. The combination with a conductor of pivotally mounted weighted ally connected to the conductor,

from by suitable means (not shown) and from one another by central insulating blocks, as 24. The wiring which connects the contacts 23 to the annunciator'is illustrated conventionally and further disclosure is deemed unnecessary. The pivoted contact arms in the present instance are designated as 25 and are pivoted at their centers, as at 26, to attachment blocks 27, the latter being secured by bolts, as 28, to the third rail D. The arms 25 have their lower end portions constructed as weights, as 29, the upper end. portions of said arms being materially lighter than the weights 29,'the latter thereby causing the arms to always assume perpendicular positions in the path of the contacts 23. The arms 25 have the same dragging action on the contacts 23 as the arms 5-. 3.

engage the respective arms during the travel 01' the car.

freely movable pivotally mounted arms having Weighted lowerend' portions which maintain said arms in a perpendicular position, means for establishing electrical connection. between said arms and said conhaving insulated contact means therewith which engage the respective arms during the travel of the car.

e combination with a conductor wire an oblique position out of the path of the, course main It will be understood that-the weighted duration and with sutlicient 'force to insure 2. The combination with a conductor of.

reliable engage 10o instance the weighted construction oflthe;

proper this advantage isan inoperative position I contact means associated therewith which,

ductor and'a device carried by the car and associated trolley of each arm, and a bar carried upon the trolof a block permanently pair of pendent wei hted lower end portions, means mechanical y and electrically connectin the block and the arms, and a ar carried y the trolley pole of a car and having contact means thereon, insulated from one another and arranged to en a 4; The combination with a conductor wire of a block permanently secured thereto, a

pair of ivoted (pendent arms having weighted ower en portions and havmg edge faces of mverse curvature, means mechanicall and electricall connecting the block an the arms, and a her carried by the ole of a car and having contact means t ereon, insulatedirom one another and arranged to engage the inversely curved edgltgzes of the respective arms during the travel of tiaecar. I

5. The combination with a conductor wire of a block ermafiently secured thereto, a pair of pivoted pendent arms having Wei hted lower end ortions, ineans mechanical y and electricall connectin the block and the arms, and a har carried by the trolley pole and having a non-conductive rear face and having insulated contact means on its front face arranged to enga e the 'respective arms during the travel of the car.

.6, The combination witha conductor-wire of a block ermanently secured to the upper side thereo and having at each side a ro-' a depen ing jectin horlzontal extension, arm p votally secured at the end of eachcextension, awelghted portion at the lower end securedthereto, a ley pivoted arms having thereon,

e the respective arms dur-- 'ing the trave 0 the car.

pole of a car and having contact means insulated from one another and arranged to engage the respective arms during the travel of the car.

7 The combination with a conductor wire of a block secured thereto, a pair of pivoted pendent arms, means mechanically and electrically connecting the arms and the block, and a centrally pivoted bar carried upon the trolley pole of the car and having contact means on each side of its pivot for en gagement with said arms.-

8. The combination with a conductor element and a car element having a contact device for engagement with the conductor element, of weighted pivoted contact means associated with one of said elements and contact means associated with the other element for engagement with said first named means. a 9. The combination'withta conductor element and a car element having a contact device for engagement with the conductor element, of weighted pivoted contact associated with one of saidelements, contact means associated with theother element for engagement with said first't named means and means for relatively ositioning the contact means to avoid tiev engagement thereof. 1

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses'.

Witnesses:

ANDREW Hnno, W. S. HERO.

' AUGUSTUS MAY.

means 

